Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually attend the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit on October 26th, at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Citing ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India, Modi conveyed his inability to attend the summit in person during a phone conversation with Ibrahim.
The announcement that PM Modi would attend the summit virtually came on Thursday, October 23rd, ending speculation of his travelling to Kuala Lumpur for the annual ASEAN meetings. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the Prime Minister at the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 27th.
In a social media post, PM Modi congratulated Anwar Ibrahim on Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed his best wishes for the success of the upcoming summits. He also reaffirmed his commitment to further deepening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi and other ASEAN leaders will jointly review the progress in ASEAN-India relations and discuss initiatives for strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Strengthening ties with ASEAN remains a key pillar of India's Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific vision.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged Modi's decision to attend virtually, stating, "I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Deepavali to him and the entire people of India". He further emphasized that "India remains an important partner for Malaysia in the fields of trade and investment, in addition to close cooperation in the sectors of technology, education, and regional security". Malaysia has reiterated its commitment to strengthening relations with India and further enhancing ASEAN-India cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous region.
The Prime Minister's decision to attend the summit virtually has also ruled out a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump, which some reports had suggested was a possibility. Some political analysts have speculated about the reasons behind PM Modi's decision to participate virtually.
